Putter grip

ABSTRACT

A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft. The grip includes an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end. The body has a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces. The body also has a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The front face and the rear face have front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively. The front and rear transverse thicknesses are measured at the central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face. The ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least five to one.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to golf putters. In particular, the present invention relates to a grip for a golf putter that includes a first portion configured to improve the feel of the putter and a second portion configured to provide a secure and comfortable grip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the game of golf, putting is often considered an art in which the golfer substantially relies on a sense of feel to stroke the golf ball with the proper speed and in the desired direction. Many golfers rely on feedback or sensory information from the putter in order to determine whether a proper stroke has been made and in order to adjust, hone or tune their putting stroke. The feedback is felt primarily as vibration, which is generated by the impact between the face of the putter and the golf ball. This vibration travels up from the club head along the shaft of the putter and through the grip of the putter to the golfer's hands. Such feedback is important to many golfers in order to determine how well the ball was struck or the position of impact on the club face.

[0003] Golf club grips are generally constructed to provide the user with a sure, comfortable grip to the club. The gripability and comfort of golf club grips, including putter grips, has generally increased and improved over the past several years. However, a comfortable, easily gripable grip also often serves to isolate the user's hands from the shaft thereby reducing, dampening, or deadening the feel of the putter to the user. Therefore, the desire or need for a comfortable, gripable golf club grip can conflict with the need to sense feedback or the feel of the golf club, particularly a putter.

[0004] Thus, there is continuing need to produce a golf grip that maximizes comfort and gripability without sacrificing the feel of the club. What is needed is a putter grip that includes a portion configured to maximize the feedback transmitted to the user from the shaft and a portion configured to optimize the comfort, softness and tactility of the grip.

[0005] Additionally, many golf club grips include indicia, which can be applied as a separate coating, or take the form of depressions or raised surfaces formed into the grip. The indicia can be graphical, alphanumeric or combinations thereof. In some cases the coating, depressions or raised surfaces forming the indicia on the grip can negatively affect the gripability, softness or comfort level of the grip. In other cases the applied coatings, depressions or raised surfaces can provide the grip with an unappealing aesthetic.

[0006] Thus, there also is a continuing need for a golf grip that includes the desired amount of indicia without negatively affecting the feel or gripability of the grip. It would be advantageous to provide a golf grip that enables indicia to be formed within or under the grip without negatively affecting the appearance or aesthetics of the golf club. What is needed is a grip that enables indicia, even indicia placed on the butt end of a golf shaft to be seen by the user and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft. The grip is configured for grasping by a golfer during putting. The grip includes an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft. The body has a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces. The body also has a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The front face and the rear face have front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively. The front and rear transverse thicknesses are measured at the central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face. The ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least five to one.

[0008] According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the invention, a grip is configured for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft and for grasping by a golfer during putting. The grip includes an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft. The body has a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces. The body also has a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The front face and the rear face have front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively. The front and rear transverse thicknesses are measured at the central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face. The ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least three to one, and the front transverse thickness is no greater than 0.070 inches.

[0009] According to another preferred aspect of the invention a grip is configured for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft and for grasping by a golfer during putting. The grip includes an elongate tubular body. The body includes a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The body has a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft. The central portion of the body has a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces. The front face is made of a first material, and at least one of the first side face, the second side face and the rear face being made of a second material.

[0010] According to another preferred aspect of the invention a grip is configured for mounting to a butt end of a golf club shaft and for grasping by a golfer during use. The grip includes an elongate tubular body. The body includes a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions. The body has a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf club shaft. The central portion of the body has a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces. At least one of the front face, the rear face the first side face, the second side face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion is formed of a first material. The first material is translucent, semi-translucent, transparent or semi-transparent. At least one of the front face, the rear face the first side face, the second side face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion is formed of a non-translucent, non-transparent material.

[0011] This invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is rear view of a putter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a front view of the front face of a putter grip.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side view, partially broken away of the putter grip of FIG. 2.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an end view of the putter grip of FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the putter grip taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a sectional front view of the putter of FIG. 1 illustrating the grip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a putter is indicated generally at 10. The putter 10 includes a club head 12, an elongated shaft 14 and a grip 16. The shaft 14 includes a tip end portion 18, which is connected to the club head 12 and a butt end portion, which is inserted into the grip 16. The grip 16 is shown in FIG. 1 attached to a putter, however, the grip 16 of the present invention can also be used with other types of golf clubs.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the grip 16 is an elongate tubular body having an axial or longitudinal bore 22 extending along a longitudinal axis 24. The grip 16 slidably receives and ensleeves the butt end of the shaft 14. Preferably, the grip 16 is adhesively connected to the butt end of the shaft 14. The grip 16 has a central portion 26 positioned between a distal portion 28 and a butt end portion 30.

[0020] The central portion 26 of the grip 16 connects the distal portion 28 and the butt end portion 30 of the grip 16. In a preferred embodiment, the central, distal and butt end portions 26, 28 and 30 are integrally connected to form the grip 16. The central portion 26 includes a front wall or face 34, a rear wall or face 36, and first and second side walls or faces 38 and 40, which collective ensleeve a length of the shaft 14. The front face 34 faces toward the toe end of the club head 12. The axially extending bore 22 of the grip 16 is preferably positioned adjacent to the front face 34 thereby reducing its thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the front face 34 has an inner surface contacting the outer surface of the shaft 14 and a generally flat outer surface that is well-suited for supporting the golfer's thumbs or other portions of the golfer's hands during putting. Typically, when a golfer grips the putter using a normal grip, the golfer's thumbs extend downwardly along the generally flat front face 34 of the grip 16. The front face 34 extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the striking face of the putter. The remaining fingers of the golfer's hands extend around the first and second side faces 38 and 40 and the rear face 36 of the grip 16.

[0021] The rear face 36 and the first and second side faces 38 and 40 each have curved inner surfaces in contact with, and corresponding to, the outer surface of the shaft 14. The rear face 36, and the first and second side faces 38 and 40 are preferably thicker than the front face 36. The rear face 36 is also preferably thicker than the first and second side faces 38 and 40. The rear face 36 preferably has an arcuate outer surface. In alternative embodiments, the outer surface of the rear face 36 can be generally flat, grooved, slotted, angled or any other conventional shape. The outer surfaces of the first and second faces 38 and 40 are preferably generally flat. In alternative embodiments, the outer surfaces of the first and second faces 38 and 40 can form other shapes, such as, for example, arcuate, grooved, slotted or any other conventional shape.

[0022] The front face 34 provides the golfer with a direct connection to, or feel of, the shaft 14. This more direct feel is achieved by: making the front face 34 thinner than the remaining faces of the central portion 26; forming the front face 34 of a harder material than the remaining faces; or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the front face 34 is thinner than the remaining faces of the central portion 26. In particular, referring to FIG. 5 when measured along a first longitudinal plane 42 extending through a forward most region of the front face 34 and the axis 24, the front face 34 has a thickness T1 of 0.070 inches or less. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the front face 34 has a thickness between 0.020 to 0.050 inches. When the putter impacts the golf ball, the thin front face 34 facilitates transmission of vibrations from the club head 12, up the shaft 14 through the the front face 34 of the grip 16 to the golfer's thumbs, or other portion of the golfer's hands in contact with the front face 34.

[0023] The thickness T1 of the front face 34 can also be selected as a ratio of the thickness of the rear face 36 (T2) to the thickness T1 and/or as a ratio of the thicknesses of the first and second side faces 38 and 40 (T3 and T4), respectively, to the thickness T1. The thickness T2 is also measured along the first longitudinal plane 42 while the thicknesses T3 and T4 are measured along a second longitudinal plane 44 extending through the lateral-most regions of the first and second side faces 38 and 40, and the axis 24. The ratio of the thickness T2 to the thickness T1 is preferably greater than or equal to 3.0. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio of thickness T2 to thickness T1 was greater than or equal to 7.0. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the ratio of thickness T2 to thickness T1 was greater than or equal to 10.0. In another preferred embodiment, the ratio of the thicknesses T3 or T4 to the thickness T1 is greater than or equal to 3.0.

[0024] The front face 34 can also be formed of a material that is harder than the material forming one or more of the remaining faces of the central portion 26. The front face 34 is formed of a first material having a first durometer and one or more of the remaining faces of the central portion 26 are formed of a second material having a second durometer. The first durometer is preferably at least 10 increments higher on a Shore A hardness scale than the second durometer. In a preferred embodiment, the first material has a durometer of at least 30 on the Shore A hardness scale, and the second material has a durometer of at least 20 on the Shore A hardness scale. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first material has a durometer between 45 and 80 on the Shore A hardness scale, and the second material has a durometer between 35 and 60 on a Shore A hardness scale.

[0025] The first and second materials of the central portion are made of a flexible, resilient, generally tactile material, preferably a thermoplastic rubber. In alternative embodiments, the first and second materials can be formed of other materials, such as, for example, other elastomers, natural rubber, other synthetic rubbers, a micro-cellular foam, or other thermoplastic materials.

[0026] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first material can have a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale that is at least 10 increments lower than the durometer of the second material. In this alternative embodiment, the front face is formed of a softer material than one or more of the remaining faces.

[0027] The first and second materials can also be transparent, formed in one or more colors, or in different color combinations. In a preferred embodiment, the first or the second material is transparent, semi-transparent, translucent or semi-translucent, and the other of the first and second material is colored. In an alternative preferred embodiment, both the first and second materials are formed of a transparent, semi-transparent, translucent or semi-translucent material. The material can be also be opaque or tinted in one or more colors.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment, a portion of the outer surface of the shaft 14 that is covered by the generally transparent first material includes indicia 46. The indicia 46 can include alphanumeric characters, graphics, specification information, advertising information, source data, trademarks, certification marks and combinations thereof. Specification information may include information such as installation instructions, dimensions, warnings, bar codes, test results and design features. Advertising information may include information such as slogans, product ratings, product attributes and information on related products. The indicia 46 may be single or multi-colored. In another alternative preferred embodiment, the indicia 46 can be placed on the inner surface of the front face 38 of the grip 16, or as a layer within the front face 38 of the grip 16.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal portion 28 of the grip 16 includes an open distal end 26 for receiving the butt end of the shaft 16 and connects with the central portion 26 at an opposite end. In a preferred embodiment, a front region of the distal portion 28, facing the toe of the club head, is generally flat and generally conforms with the shape of the front face 34 of the central portion 26. First and second side regions and a rear region of the distal portion 28 each outwardly taper from the distal end 26 to the respective first and second side faces 38 and 40 and rear face 36 of the central portion 26. The rear region of the distal portion 28 is tapered to a greater degree than the first and second side regions to merge with the thicker rear face 36 of the central portion 26. In alternative embodiments, the distal portion 28 can take other shapes, such as, for example, a cylindrical shape or a frusto-conical shape. The distal portion 28 can be made of one of the first and second materials of the central portion 26 described above, or a combination thereof. The distal portion 28, or a portion thereof, may also be transparent, translucent, semi-transparent or semi-translucent.

[0030] The butt end portion 30 includes a generally closed butt end 32 and is connected, preferably integrally, to the central portion 26 at an opposite end. Referriing to FIGS. 3 and 4, the butt end 32 of the grip 16 includes a small aperture 48 for facilitating installation of the grip 16 onto the shaft 14. In a preferred embodiment, a rear region of the butt end portion 30 flares or outwardly tapers toward the butt end 32. The front and first and second side regions of the butt end portion 30 preferably generally conform with the front face 34 and the first and second side faces 38 and 40 of the central portion 26. In alternative embodiments, the butt end portion 30 can take other shapes, such as, for example, a cylindrical or frusto-conical shape. The butt end portion 30 can be made of one of the first and second materials of the central portion 26 described above, or a combination thereof. The butt end portion 30, or a portion thereof, may also be transparent, translucent, semi-transparent or semi-translucent.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distal end portion 28 and at least a majority of the front face 34 of the central portion 26 are formed of the first material, wherein the first material is generally clear and transparent. The remaining portions of the grip 16 are formed of a second material, such as a black thermoplastic material, which is softer than the first material. In alternative preferred embodiments, the grip 16 can be formed in any combination of at least the first and second materials described above.

[0032] Also, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the diameter of the bore 22 is approximately 0.560 inches at the distal end 26 and 0.580 inches at the butt end 32. Additionally, the dimension of the grip 16 between the first and second side faces 38 and 40 at one point of the central portion is approximately 1.05 inches, and the dimension between the front face 34 and the rear face 36 of the central portion 24 is approximately 1.20. In alternative preferred embodiments, the grip 16 and the bore 22 can have other dimensions.

[0033] By varying the thickness and/or the hardness of different portions of the grip 16, the grip 16 enables the golfer to directly receive or detect the impact of the club head with the ball, without sacrificing the comfort or gripability of the grip 16. The generally flat front face 34 of the central portion 26 and the generally flat front region of the distal portion 26 provide a secure, comfortable surface for the thumb(s) or other portions of the golfer's hands in contact with the front face 34, as well as a direct connection to, or feel of, vibrations transmitted through the club 10. The use of transparent, translucent, semi-transparent and semi-translucent materials for at least a portion of the grip 16, enables indicia 46 on the ensleeved portion of the shaft 14, or as a layer of the grip 16, to be seen from outside of the grip 16. The indicia 46 increases the surface area of the shaft 14 available for displaying indicia. The indicia 46 also eliminates the need to form indentations or raised surfaces on the outer surface of the grip to define indicia, and the potentially negative impact that such raised or indented surfaces can have on the gripability or the feel of the club. The use of these materials also significantly improves the aesthetics of the club.

[0034] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, numerous departures therefrom can be contemplated by persons skilled in the art, for example, the grips can be removably and interchangeably connected to the butt end of the shaft, enabling the user to apply different colored, tinted or shaped grips to a single club. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft, the grip configured for grasping by a golfer during putting, the grip comprising: an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft, the body having a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces, the body further having a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions; the front face and the rear face having front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively, the front and rear transverse thicknesses being measured at the central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face, the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness being at least five to one.
 2. The grip of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least seven to one.
 3. The grip of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least ten to one.
 4. The grip of claim 1, wherein the front transverse thickness is no greater than 0.050 inches.
 5. The grip of claim 1, wherein the first and second side faces have first and second side transverse thicknesses, wherein the first and second side transverse thicknesses are measured at a central portion of the body along a second longitudinal plane perpendicular to the first longitudinal plane, and wherein the ratio of either of the first and second side transverse thicknesses to the front transverse thickness is at least three to one.
 6. The grip of claim 5 wherein the ratio of either of the first and second side transverse thicknesses to the front transverse thickness is at least four to one.
 7. The grip of claim 1 wherein the front face is made of a first material, and wherein at least one of the first side face, the second side face and the rear face are made of a second material.
 8. The grip of claim 7 wherein the first material has a first durometer and wherein the second material has a second durometer.
 9. The grip of claim 8 wherein the first material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale, wherein the second material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
 10. The grip of claim 9 wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 11. The grip of claim 9 wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 12. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft, the grip configured for grasping by a golfer during putting, the grip comprising: an elongate tubular body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft, the body having a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces, the body further having a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions; the front face and the rear face having front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively, the front and rear transverse thicknesses being measured at the central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face, the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness being at least three to one, and the front transverse thickness being no greater than 0.070 inches.
 13. The grip of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least seven to one.
 14. The grip of claim 12, wherein the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness is at least ten to one.
 15. The grip of claim 12, wherein the front transverse thickness is no greater than 0.050 inches.
 16. The grip of claim 12 wherein the front face is made of a first material having a first durometer, and wherein at least one of the first side face, the second side face and the rear face are made of a second material having a second durometer.
 17. The grip of claim 16 wherein the first material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale, wherein the second material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
 18. The grip of claim 17 wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 19. The grip of claim 17 wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 20. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf putter shaft, the grip configured for grasping by a golfer during putting, the grip comprising: an elongate tubular body including a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions, the body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf putter shaft, the central portion of the body having a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces, the front face being made of a first material, and at least one of the first side face, the second side face and the rear face being made of a second material.
 21. The grip of claim 20 wherein the first material has a first durometer and wherein the second material has a second durometer.
 22. The grip of claim 20 wherein the first and second materials each have a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
 23. The grip of claim 21 wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 24. The grip of claim 23 wherein the durometer of the first material is at least 30 on the Shore A hardness scale and the durometer of the second material is at least 20 on a Shore A hardness scale.
 25. The grip of claim 23 wherein the durometer of the first material is between 45 and 80 on the Shore A hardness scale and the durometer of the second material is between 35 and 60 on a Shore A hardness scale.
 26. The grip of claim 21 wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 27. The grip of claim 26 wherein the durometer of the first material is at least 20 on the Shore A hardness scale and the durometer of the second material is at least 30 on a Shore A hardness scale.
 28. The grip of claim 23 wherein the durometer of the first material is between 35 and 60 on the Shore A hardness scale and the durometer of the second material is between 45 and 80 on a Shore A hardness scale.
 29. A grip for mounting to a butt end of a golf club shaft, the grip configured for grasping by a golfer, the grip comprising: an elongate tubular body including a distal portion, a butt end portion, and a central portion positioned between the distal and butt end portions, the body having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis and an open distal end for receiving the butt end of the golf club shaft, the central portion of the body having a front face, a back face, and first and second side faces, at least one of the front face, the rear face the first side face, the second side face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion being formed of a first material, the first material selected from the group consisting of a translucent material, a semi-translucent material, a transparent material, and a semi-transparent material, and at least one of the front face, the rear face the first side face, the second side face, the distal end portion and the butt end portion being formed of a non-translucent, non-transparent material.
 30. The grip of claim 29 wherein at least the front face and the distal end portion are formed of the first material.
 31. The grip of claim 29, wherein the first material includes indicia selected from the group consisting of graphical indicia, alphanumeric indicia, and combinations thereof.
 32. The grip of claim 29, wherein the front face and the rear face have front and rear transverse thicknesses, respectively, wherein the front and rear transverse thicknesses are measured at the central portion of the body along a first longitudinal plane extending through a forward most region of the front face, the longitudinal axis and a rearward region of the back face, and wherein the ratio of the rear transverse thickness to the front transverse thickness being at least three to one, and the front transverse thickness being no greater than 0.070 inches.
 33. The grip of claim 29, wherein the first material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale, wherein the second material has a durometer on the Shore A hardness scale.
 34. The grip of claim 29, wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments higher than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale.
 35. The grip of claim 29, wherein the durometer of the first material on the Shore A hardness scale is at least 10 scale increments lower than the durometer of the second material on the Shore A hardness scale. 